Hawaii crash survivor: Surprised to learn Fuddy died

Says official linked to Obama birth certificate 'was doing fine out of the airplane'

Published: 12/13/2013 at 9:56 PM

(ABC News) When the lone engine of a small commercial plane failed, the nine people on board stayed calm as the aircraft glided toward the ocean and made a remarkably smooth belly landing, a survivor recounted Friday.

C. Phillip Hollstein Jr., a 70-year-old Kailua man, swam a half-mile in 6-foot waves to a rugged shoreline after the crash, which killed state health Director Loretta Fuddy. The others on board suffered only minor injuries.